Relationship Between Blood Creatine Kinase and Muscle Damage in Speed Skaters

This study aimed to explore whether resting creatine kinase (CK) levels are associated with a combination of commonly used psychophysiological parameters in speed skaters. Speed skaters were regarded as ideal candidates for this study, considering the sport's high incidence of muscle damage.

Participants consisted of nine speed skaters, including international-level competitors, and nine non-athletes who served as controls. Measurements included CK, ferritin (Fer), perceived fatigue level (PFL), sleep quality assessment (SQA), international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), pulse rate, blood pressure, physical activity, thigh circumference, handgrip strength, and jump height. A multiple regression analysis was performed with CK as the dependent variable and the other psychophysiological parameters as independent variables.

CK, IPAQ, thigh circumference, and jump height were significantly higher in speed skaters (p < 0.05), whereas pulse rate and PFL were significantly lower (p < 0.05). In an exploratory multiple regression analysis, a combination of pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, PFL, and SQA showed the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.54), suggesting that these variables may be associated with inter-individual variation in resting CK levels.

The combination of conventional psychophysiological parameters was associated with variation in CK levels. These findings provide preliminary evidence that CK may be a plausible biomarker of muscle damage in elite speed skaters.